RSL Rolls Past BYU

Claret-and-Cobalt Readies for SSFC with 6-0 Scrimmage Win

April 8, 2010

Randy Davis

LEHI, Utah — For a midweek tune-up after having the weekend off,
Real Salt Lake faced local PDL soccer club Brigham Young University at
their practice facility in Lehi, Utah. The match was divided into three
30-minute periods and saw Real Salt Lake dominating all facets of the
match, ultimately winning by a 6-0 margin.

Throughout the
match, Real Salt Lake scorched BYU along the left side. Initially it
was Javier Morales, Nelson Gonzalez and Fabian Espindola doing the
damage. About five minutes into the match Espindola found himself in
alone against the goalkeeper and he easily slotted it to the right of
him for the opening goal.

RSL kept possession for most of the
first stanza, with Espindola again scoring about 15 minutes later with
a chip over the ‘keeper from the edge of the area. Before the opening
30-minute period came to an end Espindola was again involved as he
delivered a quality cross that appeared to have gone off of a defender
and into the net, although teammate Nelson Gonzalez was also in the
area.

The second period had several roster changes, including
a surprising look at Jean Alexandre playing in a right back role
instead of his familiar holding midfielder role. However, the defense
would rarely be called upon as RSL again dominated the action. The
fourth goal came about 10 minutes into the period as Will Johnson kept
sliding to the left at the top of the area, before finding the opening
he was looking for and taking a left-footed blast that left the
goalkeeper flat-footed.

Before the end of the period Kyle
Beckerman received a pass after a free kick and ended up with a long
range left-footed shot that closely resembled the one by Johnson a few
moments earlier.

The final 30-minute segment of play saw the
introduction of a trialist at striker, Ats Purje from Estonia. He
looked to have some decent skills but did not get on the board as the
final goal of the match came from a header by Jamison Olave off of a
free kick.

Throughout the match Gonzalez and Espindola
remained extremely dangerous and played a key role in the compete
dominance that occurred.